Cool Careers - Leadership Keynote Speaker

Interview with Dan Trommater: Leadership Keynote Speaker, Toronto, ON

"I get the added reward of not only giving that sense of wonder – but having it cause a change in the way my clients think that will improve their lives and the lives of others around them."

1. How would you describe what you do?

I work with organizations who want a unique approach to leadership and management. My approach is based upon my history as a professional magician for 10 years and I apply the tools, tactics and philosophies of top level magicians to help leaders change the way that they approach their work – no matter what level they are at within the organization.

2. How did you get started?

I started magic as a hobby through my father-in-law and then joined CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) and they helped me figure out how to use the expertise and tools I have to illustrate my ideas to an audience in a way that is more than just entertainment.

After being an entertainer for 10 years I realized that I had learned a lot and gained experience that could be helpful to other people. Prior to becoming a magician I had taught at the University level and had found that I missed the instructional aspect of that career. I now combine the two to link magic and organizational learning.

3. What do you like and dislike about what you do?

I love being on the platform delivering the content and presenting keynotes – actually doing the service for which I am hired. I feel 100% at home and it feeds me with energy. I love seeing the light bulb turn on above people’s heads in the audience when they see how they can apply my content to their lives. On the business side of things, I enjoy building my business through networking and meeting people.

I dislike busy work – like invoices, etc. I’m not very fond of the day to day business behind the show. A well-known professional speaker once said that their job is “not giving the speech – its getting the speech.” The work involved with getting the gig is what I don’t like and I look forward to hiring someone to help me with the back office work.

4. How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

I am compensated 100% by giving presentations on a per event basis. Most of my events are one-hour keynote speeches or half-day workshops. Of course, I do not get paid for building the business or networking or processing invoices, but it’s obviously critical to my success.

5. What education or skills are needed to do this?

Let’s start with skills. The ability to command attention and communicate clearly is important. You need to be charismatic and entertaining. Even though I am not an “entertainer,” every presentation needs to be entertaining or the information will not come across. Whatever tools you use in order to be entertaining (I use magic, stories and optical illusions) are important and you need to be skilled in using them. You need a lot of confidence to stand up in front of a group of strangers and convince them that you know what you are talking about.

I don’t think you need any specific education other than something that will prepare you for this set of skills. I have seen PhDs that are terrible speakers and those without high school diplomas who are terrific.

6. What is most challenging about what you do?

Staying focused and deciding what is actually important and what is busy work. It is challenging to weed out the busy work so I spend my time doing the things that will actually lead to me getting hired.

People who are speakers tend have a high need for the approval of others [editors note: if you are curious why this is, give Challenge Factory a call!] – and this business involves a lot of rejection. Learning how to be ok with this aspect of the job is a challenge.

7. What is most rewarding?
The light bulbs above my client’s heads as they listen to me. When I was a magician doing straight entertainment shows, the most rewarding part was giving a child-like sense of wonder to a cynical adult audience. In the work that I do now, I get the added reward of not only giving that sense of wonder – but having it cause a change in the way my clients think that will improve their lives and the lives of others around them. That is incredible.

8. What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

Be very motivated. Identify the things you are good at and surround yourself with people who can help you do the things you are not good at.

9. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?
That my job is delivering keynotes – when in fact my job is running the business.

10. What are your goals/dreams for the future?

To build this speaking practice to a point where I have a team of people running the operations so that I can spend all of my time in the business developing the material, my presentations and the content and delivering. Spending less time in the business and having more balance with other things in my life.

11. What else would you like people to know about what you do?

I am extremely fortunate to be paid well for what I love to do. My work can be a bit hard to describe (when most people hear the word “magic” they think of cheesy balloon twisters at a kid’s party), so I’ve found video to be an invaluable marketing tool for me. Check some out at my site – http://www.dantrommater.com

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your career with Challenge Factory!  We are thrilled that you are a Challenge Factory Expert - available to spend time with clients considering Keynote Speaking as a career!

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